Nowshera, Jammu and Kashmir

Naushera in the context of Mirpur and Poonch districts

Nowshera is a small town located on the bank of Manawer river just 4 km inwards from the Manawer bridge on Jammu-Poonch national highway. It is a border tehsil of Rajouri district with a vast areal and demographic extent.

Given its spatial and demographic extent, Nowshera has been given the status of a Sub-District. It is a beautiful place with a number of tourist attractions including the fort of Mangla Devi, holy cave temple of Mangla Mata, Central Gurudwara of Sikhs in Nonial, Qila Darhal and other Dargahs and temples. The literacy rate of Nowshera is very high with low male-female literacy gap that shows that there is deep inclination of people towards education. It has an average elevation of 1,575 metres (5,167 feet).

Prior to the Partition of India, Nowshera was a subdivision in the Bhimber tehsil of the Mirpur district. A brigade of Jammu and Kashmir State troops was stationed here, with the responsibility of securing the whole of Mirpur and Poonch districts. Following the 1947 Poonch Rebellion and the First Kashmir War, Nowshera got separated from the Mirpur district. It was combined with the other 'liberated areas' of the Mirpur district and reconstituted into a new tehsil of the Poonch district.[2] In 1967, the Poonch and Nowshera districts were separated into independent districts, After that due to political pressure District status of Nowshera snatched and given to Rajouri(District) with Nowshera coming under. Nowshera is still suffering due to the political system of j&k.

Central Gurudwara Nonial, foundation stone was laid by Sant Baba Sunder Singh ji (before independence) in Upper Nonial.

As of 2011 India census,[3] The total population of Nowshera town is 8,435.The town comprises 1500 houses and 225 shops and spreads on 1144 acre of land. It is situated on the north side of the fertile valley Nowshera about 300 ft above the right bank of Tawi river. The town is 124 km from Jammu and 45 km from Rajouri. It is tehsil headquarters and growth center of district. Presently, Nowshera tehsil comprises 58 villages. The total population of tehsil is about 62,000. Out of which more than 50% population is living below poverty line. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Nowshera has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 68% : male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 76%. In Nowshera, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. Tourist places in Nowshera are Mangla Devi, holy cave temple of Mangla Mata,Ancient Mughliya Jahangiri Masjid,Khambah Fort (belongs to Mahabharata period, located on indo-pak border at zero point, Jhangar),Central Gurudwara of Sikhs in Nonial, Qila Darhal and other Dargahs and temples among which Central Gurudwara of Sikhs is near to the city. The religious demographics of the city are 92% Muslim, 6% Sikh, and 2% Hindu. [4]

This college start functioning from 2008 with the enrollment of 233. It was opened in the premises of Govt. Boys Middle School, Nowshera with four class rooms under makeshift arrangement from the academic session started in June 2008. It was sanctioned by then MLA and Minister, Dr Romesh Chander Sharma, total 230 students were enrolled in B.A. Part-1 during that session. So far the college worked under the supervision of Prof. Gopal Gupta who managed the affairs of GDC, Nowshera being in the capacity of Nodal Principal for first two months. Dr. Nutan Resutra was the first formal head of this institution from 07-07-2008 to 14-06-2009. He was instrumental in managing all activities in the first formative years of this prime institution. After his transfer, Prof. Zahoor A. Bhat took over that responsibility and delivered his services till 18-04-2010. Presently, Prof. S.P. Chopra has taken over as third Principal of this college form 22-04-2010. Now, it has been shifted to a newly constructed building sanctioned by then MLA and Minister, Dr Romesh Chander Sharma, which is containing all modern facilities for students. B.Sc medical and non-medical subjects are also introduced. New building is near Radio station Nowshera.

• Nowshera district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan